Mayor Arnold portrait dedicated to Museum

The portrait, created and donated by artist Julia Vanover, will remain on permanent display at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.

Dozens of city officials, museum members, as well as Marlene Arnold, wife of the late Mayor Arnold and their children, Ron, Jim and Mike Gierlinski and Kathy Lynch, gathered Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida for a special reception and exhibit dedication of a portrait of the late Mayor Bruce Arnold.

The plaque’s inscription reads:  “John B. Arnold Jr., born 1929, was Mayor for the City of Valparaiso, FL for 53 years.  At the time of his passing in February of 2017, Mayor Arnold was the longest serving mayor in the state of Florida.”  

The portrait, created and donated by artist Julia Vanover, will remain on permanent display at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. (see related story)

Photo (Top):  Board of Trustees Chair, Dr. Barbara Palmgren and Marlene Arnold, wife of the late Mayor Arnold, unveil his portrait during the exhibit dedication Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Family members of the late Mayor Arnold gather for the exhibit dedication.  From left: Ron Gierlinski, Marlene Arnold, Kathy Lynch, Jim Gierlinski, Mike Gierlinski